Vehicle-gear



(Model) W. LOGKWOOD VEHICLE GEAR.

Patented Oct. 4, 1881.

I INvBNTbm TTORNBYS.

WITNESSES: M %/w/.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM LOOKWOOD, OF MADRID, NEW YORK.

VEHICLE-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 247,932, dated October 4, 1881. Application filed April 2-2, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern Beitknown that I, WILLIAM LocKWoon, of Madrid, in the county ofSt. Lawrence and State ofNewYork,haveinvented anewand Improved Vehicle-Gear, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide easier-ridin g springs for buggies, carriages, and other vehicles.

In this invention there is on the top of each of the side bars a half-elliptical spring, that extends longitudinally along the side bars. The respective endsof the half-elliptical springs are connected with curved cross-sprin gs, which are bent up in their middle parts, where they are attached to and support the body of the vehicle. The ends of the cross-sprin gs, from the point of attachment to the body, are so curved as to pass down around the side bars and up to the extremities of the half-elliptical springs, to which they are suitably coupled.

The invention consists in the combination of the several parts above mentioned. This improvement forms a very simple, easy, effective, and economical spring-gear.

Figure 1 is a plan of the device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with parts broken away to exhibit other parts."Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same 011 line a; 00, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings,A represents the rear axle, connected with the head-block B by means of the side bars, 0 G; and D D represent strengthening 0r stiffening braces, extending, respectively, from the said axle A and headblock B to the said side bars, G O. The semielliptical side, sprin gs, E E, are secured at their centers to the upper faces of the side bars, 0 G,

by suitable clamps or other fastenin gs, ac, and

have their ends turned upward and secured on the lower bars of the double shackles b b, to the upper bars of which shackles b b are secured the extremities of the curved end springs, F F, whose ends curve outward around the side bars, 0 O, and whose centers project upward centrally between the side bars, 0 O, and have secured upon them the spring-bars G G, on which is fastened the vehicle-body, (represented at G.)

The end springs, F F, are designed to curve downward from the spring-bars GGsufficiently to bring said springs F F two inches or more below the side bars, 0 G, and said springs F F are designed to have their end curves form semicircles of eight or nine inches, or thereabout, to points directly over the side bars, 0 C, where said springs F F are connected with the side springs, E E.

The vehicle-body G is so adjusted that a weight on the seat thereof shall be directly over the center bearings of the side springs, E E, and side bars, 0 O. The ends of the springs E F are secured together by the double shackles b b in such a manner that end or side motion of the vehicle-body Gis prevented, and yet an easy, springing motion is imparted to it. When the vehicle is in motion the'peculiar curves,

and consequentlythe increased length of the end springs, F F, together with the upward curve of the side springs, E E, and the manner in which said springs E F are coupled together, overcome almost entirely the jolt and jar common to most other springs when a vehicle is running over rough roads. The said springs E F, having their hearings on the top 'of the side bars, 0 O, prevent the end or dipping motion common to most other side-bar vehicles.

I do not claim, broadly, the placing of ion gitudinal springs on the side bars of vehicles and combining cross-springs therewith, as this has been done in various ways 5 but, so far as I am aware, the cross-springs have never been curved around under 'the side bars so as to encircle the same and then rise to and attached with and above the side springs, as herein shown. This construction permits of a low setting of the body of the vehicle and renders the same secure against upsetting, while at the same time it forms a very easy, strong, and durable gear.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- An improved vehicle-gear constructed substantially as herein shown and described, consistin g of semi-elliptical springs E E, centrally secured on the top of the side bars, 0 O, and curved end springs, F F, passing around the side bars up to and connecting with the extremities of the said elliptical springs.

WILLIAM LOOKWOOD. Witnesses:

JOHN A. MEEKER, IRA L. G. LocKwooD. 

